tallis
tallis
UK[ˈtælɪs]US[ˈtɑːlɪs]
n
A fringed shawl traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning prayers.
Etymology
The word 'tallis' (also commonly spelled 'tallit') entered English as a direct loan from Hebrew, via the intermediary of Aramaic and later Yiddish. Its origin lies in the Hebrew root ט-ל-ל (ṭ-l-l), which carries the core meaning of "to cover" or "to wrap". This literal sense evolved directly into the name for the specific religious garment used to cover oneself during prayer. The journey of the word into English reflects the diaspora of Jewish communities and the incorporation of specific religious and cultural terminology into the broader English lexicon.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It is borrowed from Hebrew via Aramaic and Yiddish, with the Hebrew root ט-ל-ל (ṭ-l-l) relating to "to cover" or "to wrap".
Examples
He carefully unfolded his tallis before the morning service.
The blue stripes on the white tallis are symbolic.
It is a tradition for a boy to receive his first tallis at his bar mitzvah.